Both of my dogs use the backpack featured in this review. Everything shared in this post is from my own personal experience with this product and is not sponsored. For reference, both of my dogs are two year old German Shepherds. Barrett is a 110lb black male. His measurements are 22" neck, 38" chest, 30" belly and he wears a size XLarge. Nora is an 85lb brindle female. Her measurements are 19.5" neck, 34" chest, 28" belly and she also wears a size XLarge. She previously wore a Large. However, about a month ago she outgrew the harness for that size. At the time of the first video review when Nora still wore a Large, she weighed about 75lbs and had slightly smaller measurements. Hopefully this info helps provide you with a general idea of what size may fit your own dog if you're considering trying this pack.
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What to look for in a pack?
A number of aspects go into finding the right backpack for your dog. Proper fit and weight distribution is at the top of the list. In the same way that our own backpacks need to be conducive to hauling gear mile after mile, so does a dog's pack. For people, a good pack will evenly distribute the majority of the load to the hips and a small percentage to the front of the shoulders. (outdoors.org) For dogs, the weight should be evenly distributed across the shoulders and not onto the mid and lower back. A good reference point for where the saddlebags should sit is above the dog's elbow. (dogsthathike.com) Returning to the comparison with people, a our own pack should fit snugly and not shift or slide around as we hike. The same goes for a dog.
The straps on a dog's backpack play a major role in both fit and comfort. While they should be adjusted to keep the pack closely fitted to the dog, the straps should not be so tight that they cause chaffing and irritation. The belly and under the armpits are two areas to keep an eye out for this. At the same time, the straps should not be so loose that the harness and saddle bags slide and jostle around. That just right fit should keep the pack in place without causing the dog discomfort or irritation. I personally, wanted a pack with a wide range of adjustability. One that I could continue to use as my dogs grew. Some breeds, like my German Shepherds don't finish growing and filling out until after 2 years old. (germanshepherddoghq.com) I knew there was a good chance the adjustments on their harness at 1.5 year old would not be the same 6 months to a year later. Another consideration when it comes to comfort is breathability. A good backpack should offer moisture wicking and ventilation to prevent the dog from overheating while hiking.
Of course, having a backpack that will hold up to wear and tear on the trail is also important. Dogs don't exactly have a concept of being gentle on gear. So the materials used need to be strong enough to withstand scrapes and abrasions. The last thing you want is to be picking up the contents of your dogs saddlebags because they brushed up against a tree limb the wrong way.
A feature you many want to look for, but is not entirely necessary, is removable saddle bags. Having this feature offers more versatility and the ability to utilize the harness apart from the bags. It also allows you to remove the weight from your dog when taking breaks on the trail. Best of all, you won't have to completely remove their pack every time to do this.
A final consideration in choosing the right backpack for your dog is the saddle bag capacity. This largely depends on the size, breed, and age of the dog. A young healthy large breed dog capable of carrying more weight will most likely need saddlebags with a larger capacity. Meanwhile, an older or smaller dog that's not capable of carrying as much weight may need saddlebags with less capacity. The duration of the hikes a dog will be doing also plays a role. While 5 to 9L saddlebags may be sufficient for day hiking or an overnight, it may not provide enough room for everything your dog will need for a 3 day backpacking trip.
Before getting into the review of the specific pack my dogs use, it's important to note that this piece of gear may not work for you and your dog. The following are some resources and reviews for other packs on the market that may suit your dog's needs if this one doesn't.
The 8 Best Dog Backpacks from dailypaws.com
The Best Dog Backpacks of 2021 from gearjunkie.com
Best Dog Backpacks For Hiking With Your Dog from trailandkale.com
Hiking or Backpacking with Your Dog from rei.com
BENEFITS OF USING A DOG BACKPACK from myalphapak.com
What does this pack offer?
According to the logos on this backpack, the actual brand name is "Brother Catdog." It's available almost exclusively through sellers on AliExpress (and Alibaba in wholesale.) Why choose a budget backpack over the dozens of other options currently on the market? Believe it or not, this one offered nearly everything I was looking for in a good for my dog while the others didn't; From a variety of sizing options to removable saddle bags. On top of all that, it was incredibly affordable. At just $50 compared to $100 (or more) for other packs of similar size. I was certainly skeptical at first about the quality in materials of this pack from AliExpress. It's like they say you get what you pay for, right? In my experience that was not the case. I feel I've gotten more than what I paid for. In the year plus of using it, this pack has proven to be very durable and functional.
The backpack is comprised of two pieces: the harness and saddle bags. The saddlebags are attached to the harness by four buckles on the back. For extra security, the straps of the harness can be threaded through a small loop on the underside of each saddlebag. This holds the bags close to the dog preventing them from bouncing and jostling around during the hike. The harness straps have a wide range of adjustability. Adjustments can be made around the dog's belly and under the armpits, as well as towards the shoulders. Depending on the size of the dog, the front panel of the harness can be shifted higher or lower on the dog's chest and shoulders using these front straps.
Some of the comfort features include breathability and ventilation. Within the harness is a system of breathable foam channels covered by a soft mesh webbing. This offers both airflow and light cushion throughout the pack. Padding of the same material is also included on the strap that goes around the dog's belly.
As mentioned above, a benefit to having removable saddlebags is the ability to give your dog breaks from carrying weight throughout the hike without removing the whole pack. Attaching and removing these bags is a quick and easy process. I often remove the bags off my dog's pack when we stop for lunch or to filter water. The handle on the back of the harness is also a very handy feature. If my dog needs assistance maneuvering over or around an obstacle on the trail, I can grab a hold of that handle to help balance and guide them.
In terms of durability, this pack has taken a lot of abuse. It has withstood being scrapped against boulders and tree trunks over and over. So far, the extent of the damage is minor. On the side panels there are beginning signs of the reflective coating peeling off. There are also a few places on the pack where stitching is starting to fray. Aside from that, I haven't experienced any problems with this pack standing up to regular wear and tear on the trail. None of the buckles, straps, or zippers have broken during use.
Something I wanted to avoid when selecting a pack for my dogs was saggy droopy saddlebags. Many of the packs I was considering had a problem with the bags drooping and swinging around under the dogs sides when they are too full. The saddlebags on this pack maintain a rigid shape regardless of how empty or full they are. This has to do with layers of supportive material within the bags, as well as being connected to a removable piece that lays across the harness rather than being sewn to the sides of it.
Specs & Features Overview
Sizing: | Small - XLarge (see measurement chart below) |
Colors: | Orange, Purple, Blue |
Material: | Nylon and polyester blends |
Weight: | 1 lb 6 oz (Large) 1 lb 10 oz (XLarge) |
Capacity: | 5L (Small) 9L (Medium) 12L (Large) 16L (XLarge) |
Storage: | Two main saddle bags, two internal pockets, four external pockets |
Special Features: | Adjustable harness with breathable mesh lining |
| Removable saddle bags |
| Handle and reinforced buckle on the back of harness |
| D-ring on the front of harness |
| Reflective side panels |
| Adjustable bungee cords with locking mechanism |
Price: | $40 - $50 (excluding shipping) |
What I dislike about this pack...
Honestly, there isn't much I dislike about it. I will say, adjusting the straps on the harness was a bit challenging at first. Feeding the straps through the tensioning buckles to get that just right fit took some time and patience. On a positive note, this means the straps won't loosen or slide back through as the dog walks.
A final aspect about the pack that I dislike is the waste bag dispenser to nowhere. On the side of one of the saddlebags is a silicone piece intended for dispensing waste bags. The problem is, there is no way to access this internal area to store the bags other than the small opening the piece of silicone is covering. The opening leads directly to the internal layers of the saddlebags where the insulating material has been placed. By trying to use this feature, there's a high likelihood of losing your waste bags between the inner walls of the saddlebags. It seems like the manufacturers had an idea for a handy feature that they failed to follow through on. In spite of that minor flaw, this backpack is an incredible piece of gear!
Where to purchase it
This backpack is available on AliExpress through various sellers including but not limited to: PetTown Store, Wonder Island Store, PeTown Store. Unfortunately, it does take some time to arrive. So, it's best to place your order a few weeks in advance instead of waiting until a few days before your trip. I've also found this model of backpack sold and rebranded through a Canadian company called Rocky Mountain Dog. However, it carries a much steeper price tag. Every so often this backpack is available on Amazon through the seller Pettom. Of all these options, AliExpress is the most reliable place to find it.
If this backpack is unavailable in a specific color, size, or store I recommend using the image search feature on AliExpress to find other sellers that carry it. First, put the item on your Wish List. Then view the item in your Wish List. There's an option in the dropdown menu to "View similar items." From there you can choose from products the site suggests, or select the "Find look-alike items" option to search for a closer match. This feature is available on desktop, but works much better through the AliExpress app.